Microwave-enhanced method for treating Frac water

ABSTRACT

A method for remediating Frac water and other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing includes storing contaminated Frac water in a first collection unit, operating at least one pumping unit to pump a portion of the contaminated Frac water, and storing remediated Frac water in a second collection unit. A microwave separation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit are used to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST unit can work alone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit, or both, to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. A system operating according to the method can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility or at a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water, entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmental compliance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of the co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/531,473, filed Jun. 22, 2012, which co-pendingapplication claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/577,334 filed on Dec. 19, 2011, and is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.11/489,919 filed Jul. 20, 2006, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,314,157, whichclaims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/701,273 filed Jul. 21, 2005, the foregoing applications incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods for treating Frac water and otheremulsion wastes comprising water and/or hydrocarbons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As a modern trend, oil and gas producers have turned to a process knownas Hydraulic Fracturing, of “fracing,” in order better develop tight-gasreservoirs in deep rock formations. The fracing process is usedpervasively throughout the industry (for example, the Barnett Shale,Marcellus Formation, and Eagle Ford Formation areas in North America)because it is an efficient and economically beneficial process ofextracting oil and gas from deep rock formations. During the fracingprocess, oil and gas producers employ the use of a fracturing fluid,such as water, oil, or acid, in order to improve oil and gas productionthrough wellbore drilling in reservoir rock formations. The fracturingfluid can be used to fracture rock layers and release oil and naturalgas stored within the multiple layers of rock. To increase itseffectiveness, fracturing fluid often comprises a propping agent used tohold open cracks in rock formations after hydraulic pressure dissipates.By holding open these cracks for an extended period of time, producerscan realize increased natural resource yields during the fracingprocess.

The fracing process is typically carried out by injecting large volumesof highly-pressurized fresh water into a well in order to inducestructural cracks known as fractures. Prior to injection, the water isgenerally treated with a friction reducer, biocides, scale inhibitors,or surfactants. The injected water often contains a propping agent, suchas sand, to hold open the fractures formed by the injected water tomaximize the extraction of the natural resources. Once the fracingprocess is complete, the fracturing fluid is returned to the surfacealong with both the natural salt water found in the oil and gasreservoir, and the extracted oil and gas targeted by the fracingprocess. This combined fluid is often referred to as fracture returnwater or “Frac water.”

Frac water can be susceptible to contamination by virtue of its exposureto bacteria and other pathogens during the fracing process. Accordingly,the Frac water returning to the surface can be potentially dangerous tothe environment if it is not recovered and disposed of properly.Moreover, these bacterial and pathogenic contaminates can prohibit awell producer from reusing the Frac water after the initial fracing.This resulting waste can add significant costs to the drillingoperation. For example, horizontal well fracturing can use between anaverage of three to five million gallons of water each time the well isfractured. Without the ability to reuse the Frac water after the initialfracing, well producers must safely dispose of the contaminated Fracwater and purchase additional non-contaminated Frac water for subsequentfracing of the well. These added costs can be quite significantconsidering that wells are often re-fractured multiple times over aperiod of several years.

It is therefore desirable to have a solution for properly recovering,treating, reusing, or disposing of Frac water in order to overcome theproblems set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments presented herein provide, among other things, an improvedmethod and system for treating Frac water and other emulsion wastescomprising water and/or hydrocarbons. In particular, embodiments relateto the use of Microwave Separation Technology (MST) for treating Fracwater at an onsite drill operation, dockside, or at remote, centralizedlocation. Once treated, the Frac water can be reinserted into welldrilling sites thus resulting in a significant reduction in the costsassociated with the fracing process. Moreover, once treated,contaminates such as bacteria and pathogens can be greatly reduced, thusmitigating the environmental risks typically associated with Frac waterstorage, transportation, and disposal.

Described is an improved method and system for remediating Frac waterand other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing. The system caninclude a first collection unit adapted to store contaminated Fracwater, at least one pumping unit adapted to pump a portion of thecontaminated Frac water, and a second collection unit for storingremediated Frac water. The system can further include a microwaveseparation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation(“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit adapted to reducecontamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST can workalone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit,or both, to further reduce contaminations levels of the contaminatedFrac water. The system can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility orat a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water,entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmentalcompliance.

The disclosure also provides a microwave-enhanced treatment method forFrac water remediation that can include storing contaminated Frac waterand pumping a portion of the contaminated Frac water. The disclosurealso provides subjecting the contaminated Frac water to a microwaveseparation technology (“MST”) process to reduce contamination levels ofthe contaminated Frac water, and subjecting the contaminated Frac waterto an ultra-violet light technology (“UVLR”) process to further reducecontamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST processstep and UVLR process step can either alone, or in combination,facilitate the process of producing remediated Frac water.

The disclosure also provides a microwave-enhanced treatment method forFrac water remediation that can include subjecting the contaminated Fracwater to a MST process to reduce contamination levels of thecontaminated Frac water. The method can further include subjecting thecontaminated Frac water to a UVLR process to further reducecontamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The process canfurther include subjecting the contaminated Frac water to a chemicaladditive process. The method can further include storing remediated Fracwater.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The following figures form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. The invention can be better understood by reference to one ormore of these figures in combination with the detailed description ofspecific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the microwave-enhanced treatment systemfor Frac water remediation.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting a microwave-enhanced treatment methodfor Frac water remediation.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting another microwave-enhanced treatmentmethod for Frac water remediation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to makeand use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the stepspresented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps isnot necessary or critical.

Described is an improved method and system for remediating Frac waterand other emulsions created during hydraulic fracturing. The system caninclude a first collection unit adapted to store contaminated Fracwater, at least one pumping unit adapted to pump a portion of thecontaminated Frac water, and a second collection unit for storingremediated Frac water. The system can further include a microwaveseparation technology (“MST”) unit, an ultra-violet light remediation(“UVLR”) unit, and a chemical additive unit adapted to reducecontamination levels of the contaminated Frac water. The MST can operatealone, or in combination with the UVLR unit, the chemical additive unit,or both, to further reduce contaminations levels of the contaminatedFrac water. The system can be deployed at an onsite drilling facility orat a centralized offsite location. By reusing remediated Frac water,entities can realize significant cost savings and better environmentalcompliance.

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the microwave-enhanced treatment (“MET”)system for Frac water remediation. The MET system 2 can include a firstcollection unit 4 adapted to store contaminated Frac water. The METsystem 2 can further include at least one pumping unit 6 adapted to pumpat least a portion of the contaminated Frac water. The MET system 2 canfurther include a thermal unit 8 and a microwave separation treatment(“MST”) unit 10. The MST unit 10 can be adapted to reduce contaminationlevels of the contaminated Frac water. The MET system 2 can furtherinclude an ultra-violet light remediation (“UVLR”) unit 12. The UVLRunit 12 can be adapted to further reduce contamination levels of thecontaminated Frac water to produce remediated Frac water. The MET system2 can further include a fluid conduit 14 and a second collection unit16. The second collection unit 16 can be adapted to store remediatedFrac water. The MET system 2 can further include a chemical additiveunit 18.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the firstcollection unit 4 can include a high-capacity collection tank forcollecting contaminated Frac water. In other embodiments, the firstcollection unit 4 can be any type of container of various shapes andsizes that can be adapted to store liquids, solids, or gases. Forexample, the first collection unit 4 can be a fixed container adapted toremain permanently on an offshore oil drilling facility.

In another embodiment, the first collection unit 4 can include a mobilecontainer, such as a storage container coupled to a tanker truck. Inanother embodiment, the first collection unit 4 can serve merely as aconduit to transport Frac water to another part of the MET system 2. Inanother embodiment, the first collection unit 4 can store or transportfully contaminated Frac water, partially contaminated Frac water, orremediated Frac water. In one embodiment, the first collection unit 4can include more than one container.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the at leastone pumping unit 6 can include a pump comprising a pump motor adapted topump Frac water to or from other components of the MET system 2. In oneembodiment, the at least one pumping unit 6 can include two pumps: onefor pumping Frac water to the MST unit 10, and the other for pumpingFrac water from the MST unit 10 to the second collection unit 16.

In another embodiment, the at least one pumping unit 6 can include morethan two pumps for pumping Frac water to and from various components ofthe MET system 2. In one embodiment, the at least one pumping unit 6 caninclude any device for raising, driving, or compressing liquids, gases,or emulsions from one point of the MET system 2 to another. In oneembodiment, the at least one pumping unit 6 can pump contaminated Fracwater, partially contaminated Frac water, or remediated Frac water. Inanother embodiment, the at least one pumping unit 6 can include threepumping units: one pumping unit for pumping partially contaminated Fracwater, a second for pumping contaminated Frac water, and a third forpumping remediated Frac water.

In one embodiment, the fluid conduit 14 can include one or more conduitsadapted to transport fluids to one or more components of the MET system2. Fluids can include any liquids, gases, emulsions, or any viscoussubstance. In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, thefluid conduit 14 can include a series of pipes or tubes coupled to oneor more components of the MET system 2 to transport Frac water to andfrom one or more of these components.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the fluidconduit 14 can include a series of pipes coupling the first collectionunit 4 to at least one pumping unit 6 to a thermal unit 8. The fluidconduit 14 can further include one or more pipes to couple the at leastone pumping unit 6 and the thermal unit 8 to the MST unit 10. The fluidconduit 14 can further include one or more pipes coupling the MST unit10 to a second pumping unit. The fluid conduit 14 can further includeone or more pipes coupling the second pumping unit to the UVLR unit 12.Finally, the fluid conduit 14 can include one or more pipes coupling theUVLR unit 12 to the second collection unit 16. In another embodiment thefluid conduit 14 can include one or more pipes coupling one or morecomponents of the MET system 2 to a chemical additive unit 18.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the thermalunit 8 can include a heat exchanger adapted to heat the Frac water. Forexample, the thermal unit 8 can be used to heat the Frac water to aminimum temperature of 85 degrees Celsius before the Frac water isreceived by the MST unit 10. In another embodiment, the thermal unit canbe used to either heat the Frac water to a temperature above the ambienttemperature of the MST system 2, but less than 85 degrees Celsius. Inanother embodiment, the thermal unit 8 can be used to cool the Fracwater below the ambient temperature of the MST system 2. In oneembodiment, the thermal unit 8 can be omitted from the MST system 2altogether.

In one embodiment, the MST unit 10 can be adapted to employ microwaveenergy to facilitate the treatment of contaminated Frac water. Theunique characteristics of microwave energy allow microwaves tofacilitate certain physical and chemical reactions. More specifically,microwaves employ a unique establishment of rapidly oscillating electricand magnetic fields that selectively energize strongly polar andstrongly charged molecules relative to non-polar and neutral, or lesspolar and less charged, molecules. Due to its versatility, microwavetechnology can be employed in a variety of applications to induce thesephysical and chemical reactions.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,314,157 describes a Microwave-EnhancedProcess to Treat Marine Emulsion Wastes. U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/340,137 describes a Microwave-Enhanced Process to MaximizeBiodiesel Production Capacity. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,014,U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,400; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,830 each describes aMethod for Processing Crude Oil and Water Emulsions using MicrowaveEnergy. This technology, however, has not been applied to remediatecontaminated Frac water.

As discussed in greater detail below, the straight-forward applicationof microwave energy to contaminated Frac water does not necessarilyproduce an optimized remediation system. However, contaminated Fracwater can be successfully remediated by employing a MST unit 10 withoptimized power settings alone or in combination with a UVLR unit 12 ora chemical additive unit 18, or both. More specifically, experimentalresults suggest that a MST unit 10 that emits microwaves at power rangesbetween approximately 20-60 kW can effectively reduce the contaminationlevels of contaminated Frac water. Table 1 below summarizes thesefindings:

TABLE 1 Test Power Analyte Result RL Units DF Analylzed Method BOD  0 kWBOD, 1670 1000 mg/l 1 Jul. 27, SM 5 day 2011 5210B BOD 20 kW BOD, 1340500 mg/l 1 Jul. 27, SM 5 day 2011 5210B BOD 30 kW BOD,  736 600 mg/l 1Jul. 27, SM 5 day 2011 5210B COD  0 kW COD 3380 250 mg/l 5 Aug. 2, SM2011 5220D COD 20 kW COD 2230 250 mg/l 5 Aug. 2, SM 2011 5220D COD 30 kWCOD 1290 100 mg/l 5 Aug. 2, SM 2011 5220D BOD - Bacteria OxygenDepletion, COD - Chemical Oxygen Demand

More specifically, recent empirical evidence suggests that the MSTunit's 10 effectiveness can be vastly improved with the aid of a UVLRunit 12 (employing an ultra-violet technology process), a chemicaladditive unit 18 (employing a chemical additive process), or both. Forexample, the result of a particular experiment indicated that the MSTunit 10 can be effective to initially eliminate approximately 95% of thecontamination levels of contaminated Frac water. However, furtherexperiments suggested that the Frac water's contamination levels willincrease, quite unexpectedly, to approximately 50% of its originalconcentrations after several days of storage at approximately 25 degreesCelsius.

In order to rectify these unexpected results, further experimentationrevealed that Frac water contamination levels can be reduced toapproximately zero by subjecting the Frac water to a UVLR unit 12(employing a ultra-violet light technology process), a chemical additiveunit 18 (employing a chemical additive process), or both, aftersubjecting the contaminated Frac water to the MST unit 10. In oneembodiment, the MST unit's 10 effectiveness can be further improved byemploying a thermal unit 8 to heat the Frac water to a temperature of 85degrees Celsius or greater before subjecting the Frac water to theultra-violet technology process.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the UVLR unit12 can be located in a collection unit that is of similar design to thefirst collection unit 4. For example, the UVLR unit 12 can comprise amodified version of the first collection unit 4 with additionalstructure for remediating contaminated Frac water or partiallycontaminated Frac water with ultra-violet light. In one embodiment, theUVLR unit 12 can be coupled to a collection unit of similar design tothe first collection unit 4. In another embodiment, the UVLR unit 12 cancomprise an ultra-violet light remediation structure adapted toremediate contaminated Frac water or partially contaminated Frac waterwithout requiring a collection unit altogether.

In one embodiment, the UVLR unit 12 exposes the Frac water toultra-violet light through an ultra-violet light technology process. Forexample, the UVLR unit 12 can expose Frac water to ultra-violetirradiation over a period of several seconds. Alternatively, the UVLRunit 12 can expose Frac water to ultra-violet irradiation over a periodof several days. In one embodiment, the wavelength of the light emittedfrom the UVLR unit 12 can vary within the range of approximately 90 nmto 400 nm. In one exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment,the MST unit 10, employing the MST process, can first eliminateapproximately 95% of the contaminates of contaminated Frac water. Oncethe contaminates are reduced, the UVLR unit 12, employing theultra-violet technology process discussed above, can eliminate most orall of the remaining approximately 5% contaminates remaining in the Fracwater.

In one embodiment, the chemical additive unit 18 exposes the Frac waterto one or more chemicals through a chemical additive process. In oneexemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the MST unit 10,employing the MST process, can first eliminate approximately 95% of thecontaminates of contaminated Frac water. Once the contaminates arereduced, the chemical additive unit 18, employing the chemical additiveprocess discussed above, can eliminate most or all of the approximately5% contaminates remaining in the Frac water. In one embodiment, thechemical additive unit 18 can be used as an alternative to the UVLR unit12. In another embodiment, the chemical additive unit 18 can be used tosupplement the UVLR unit 12.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the secondcollection unit 16 can include a high-capacity collection tank forcollecting remediated Frac water. In other embodiments, the secondcollection unit 16 can be any type of container of various shapes andsizes that can be adapted to store liquids, solids, or gases. Forexample, the second collection unit 16 can be a fixed container adaptedto remain permanently on an offshore oil drilling facility.

In another embodiment, the second collection unit 16 can include amobile container, such as a storage container coupled to a tanker truck.In another embodiment, the second collection unit 16 can serve merely asa conduit to transport Frac water for disposal or reuse in a fracingprocess. In another embodiment, the second collection unit 16 can storeor transport contaminated Frac water, partially contaminated Frac water,or remediated Frac water. In one embodiment, the second collection unit16 can include more than one container.

In one embodiment, the MET system 2 can be implemented on an onsitedrilling facility. For example, the onsite drilling facility can includean offshore drilling facility. Alternatively, the onsite drillingfacility can include a drilling site located on land. In anotherembodiment, the MET system 2 can be implemented at a centralized offsitelocation. For example, the centralized offsite location can include alocation that is remote with respect to the drilling site. In anotherembodiment, the MET system 2 can be implemented across more than onelocation. For example, the MET system 2 can be decentralized and spreadacross various locations either onsite or offsite with respect to thedrilling facility.

The term “contaminated Frac water” can mean Frac water that contains oneor more contaminates. A contaminate can include, but is not limited to,any pathogen, bacteria, virus, microorganism, microbe, or otherinfectious agent. More specifically, the term “pathogen,” as usedherein, can refer to any undesirable foreign or infectious agents,including but not limited to microbes, viruses, bacteria, fungi, prions,mycoplasma, and the like), particularly those fluid contaminants thatcan preclude using the fluid in future applications. Example pathogensinclude viruses such as variola major (smallpox), Ebola, HIV, hepatitisviruses, influenza viruses, papillomaviruses, herpesviruses, andadenoviruses; bacteria such as Mycobacterium species, Salmonellaspecies, Yersinia species, Chlamydia species, Coxella burnetti,Francisella tularensis, Brucella species, Bordetella species, Listeriamonocytogenes, and legionella Pneumophila; fungi, such as Histoplasmacapsulatum; and protozoa such as Plasmodium species, Trypanosomaspecies, Leishmania species, and Toxoplasma Gondii; yeasts, such asspecies and strains of Saccharomyces species, Blastomyces species, orSchizosaccharomyces species; molds, such as those of the generaCladosporium sp., Alternaria sp., Penicillium sp., Histoplasma sp.,Cryptococcus sp., and Aspergillus sp.; nanobacterium; prions; proteins,especially infectious proteins; multicellular parasites; nucleic acids;metabolic by-products of a pathogen; cellular by-products of a pathogen;or a toxin. The term pathogen as used herein also includes those partsof the pathogen that are sufficient for their detection by typicalpathogenic detection means.

The term “remediated Frac water” can mean Frac water that contains fewercontaminates than “contaminated Frac water”. The term “remediated Fracwater” can also mean Frac water that contains contaminates in a lesserconcentration than “contaminated Frac water”. The term “partiallycontaminated Frac water” can mean Frac water that contains morecontaminates than “remediated Frac water,” but fewer contaminates than“contaminated Frac water”. The term “partially contaminated Frac water”can also mean Frac water that contains contaminates in a greaterconcentration than “remediated Frac water,” but in a lesserconcentration than “contaminated Frac water”.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, remediatedFrac water can include Frac water that contains approximately 5% of thecontaminates originally present in the contaminated Frac water. Inanother embodiment, remediated Frac water can include Frac water thatcontains 0% of contaminates originally present in the contaminated Fracwater. In another embodiment, remediated Frac water can include Fracwater that contains more than approximately 5% of the contaminatesoriginally present in the contaminated Frac water. In another exemplaryand non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the terms “partiallycontaminated Frac water” and “contaminated Frac water” can be usedinterchangeably.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting a microwave-enhanced treatment(“MET”) method for Frac water remediation. The MET method can includethe step 20 of storing contaminated Frac water. The MET method canfurther include the step 22 of pumping a portion of the contaminatedFrac water. The MET method can further include the step 24 of subjectingthe contaminated Frac water to a microwave separation technology (“MST”)process to reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Frac water.The MET method can further include the step 26 of subjecting thecontaminated Frac water to an ultra-violet light technology (“UVLR”)process to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminated Fracwater. The MET method can further include the step 28 of storing theremediated Frac water.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting another microwave-enhanced treatment(“MET”) method for Frac water remediation. The MET method can includethe step 30 of subjecting the contaminated Frac water to a microwaveseparation technology (“MST”) process. The MET method can furtherinclude the step 32 of subjecting the contaminated Frac water to anultra-violet light technology “(UVLT”) process. The MET method canfurther include the step 34 of subjecting the contaminated Frac water toa chemical additive process. The MET method can further include the step36 of storing the remediated Frac water.

In an exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the MET methodcan include the step 30 of subjecting the contaminated Frac water to aMST process and the step 36 of storing the remediated Frac water, whileomitting the remaining steps of the method disclosed in FIG. 3. Inanother exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the METmethod can include the step 30 of subjecting the contaminated Frac waterto a MST process, the step 34 of subjecting the contaminated Frac waterto a chemical additive process, and the step 36 of storing theremediated Frac water, while omitting the step 32 of subjecting thecontaminated Frac water to an UVLT process.

In another exemplary and non-limiting illustrative embodiment, the METmethod can include the step 30 of subjecting the contaminated Frac waterto a MST process, the step 32 of subjecting the contaminated Frac waterto an UVLT process, and the step 36 of storing the remediated Fracwater, while omitting the step 34 of subjecting the contaminated Fracwater to a chemical additive process. In another exemplary andnon-limiting illustrative embodiment, the MET method can include thestep 30 of subjecting the contaminated Frac water to a MST process,while omitting the remaining steps of the MET method disclosed in FIG.3.

The term “coupled,” “coupling,” “coupler,” and like terms are usedbroadly herein and can include any method or device for securing,binding, bonding, fastening, attaching, joining, inserting therein,forming thereon or therein, or otherwise associating, for example,mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directlyor indirectly with intermediate elements, one or more pieces of memberstogether and can further include without limitation integrally formingone functional member with another in a unitary fashion. The couplingcan occur in any direction, including rotationally.

The Figures described above and the written description of specificstructures and functions above are not presented to limit the scope ofwhat Applicant has invented or the scope of the appended claims. Rather,the Figures and written description are provided to teach any personskilled in the art to make and use the invention for which patentprotection is sought. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that notall features of a commercial embodiment of the invention is described orshown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill inthis art will also appreciate that the development of an actualcommercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present inventionwill require numerous implementation-specific decisions to achieve thedeveloper's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. Suchimplementation-specific decisions can include, and likely are notlimited to, compliance with system-related, business-related,government-related and other constraints, which can vary by specificimplementation, location and from time to time. While a developer'sefforts might be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, suchefforts would be, nevertheless, a routine undertaking for those of skillthis art having benefit of this disclosure. It must be understood thatthe invention disclosed and taught herein is susceptible to numerous andvarious modifications and alternative forms. The use of a singular term,such as, but not limited to, “a,” is not intended as limiting of thenumber of items. Also, the use of relational terms, such as, but notlimited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,”“up,” “side,” and the like are used in the written description forclarity in specific reference to the Figures and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. Likewise,discussion of singular elements or components can include pluralelements or components, and vice-versa.

The order of steps can occur in a variety of sequences unless otherwisespecifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combinedwith other steps, interlineated with the stated steps, and/or split intomultiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally andcan be embodied as separate components or can be combined intocomponents having multiple functions.

In some alternate implementations, the functions/actions/structuresnoted in the Figures can occur out of the order noted in the blockdiagrams and/or operational illustrations. For example, two operationsshown as occurring in succession, in fact, can be executed substantiallyconcurrently or the operations can be executed in the reverse order,depending upon the functionality/acts/structure involved. Furthermore,although FIG. 3 illustrates one possible embodiment of amicrowave-enhanced treatment method for Frac water remediation otherembodiments are possible. For example, FIG. 3 recites the step 34 ofsubjecting the contaminated Frac water to a chemical additive processafter the step 32 of subjecting the contaminated Frac water to anultra-violet light technology process. Other embodiments can includeperforming step 32 after the step 34. In some embodiments, some stepscan be omitted altogether. Therefore, though not explicitly illustratedin the Figures, any and all combinations or sub-combinations of thesteps illustrated in FIG. 3, or additional steps described in theFigures or the detailed described provided herein, can be performed inany order, with or without regard for performing the other recitedsteps.

Those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure,appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodimentswhich are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The inventions have been described in the context of preferred and otherembodiments and not every embodiment of the invention has beendescribed. Obvious modifications and alterations to the describedembodiments are available to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thedisclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit orrestrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived of by theApplicants, but rather, in conformity with the patent laws, Applicantsintend to fully protect all such modifications and improvements thatcome within the scope or range of equivalent of the following claims.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the inventionhas been described in what is considered to represent its preferredembodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can bepracticed otherwise than as specifically illustrated and describedwithout departing from its spirit or scope.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A microwave-enhanced treatment method forFrac water remediation comprising the steps of: storing contaminatedFrac water in a first collection unit; pumping with at least one pumpingunit at least a portion of the contaminated Frac water from the firstcollection unit; receiving the at least a portion of the contaminatedFrac water from the at least one pumping unit with a microwaveseparation technology unit having a storage capacity for storing the atleast a portion of the contaminated Frac water, wherein the microwaveseparation technology unit reduces contamination levels of the at leasta portion of the contaminated Frac water; receiving the at least aportion of the contaminated Frac water from the microwave separationtechnology unit with an ultra-violet light remediation unit having astorage capacity for storing the at least a portion of the contaminatedFrac water, wherein the ultra-violet light remediation unit furtherreduces the contamination levels of the at least a portion of thecontaminated Frac water to produce remediated Frac water; pumping withanother pumping unit from the microwave separation technology unit tothe ultra-violet light remediation unit the at least a portion of thecontaminated Frac water, the another pumping unit being connectedbetween the microwave separation technology unit and the ultra-violetlight remediation unit; and storing in a second collection unit theremediated Frac water produced from the ultra-violet light remediationunit.
 2. A microwave-enhanced treatment method for remediation of anemulsion containing water and contaminates comprising the steps of:storing in a first collection unit the contaminated emulsion; pumpingwith at least one pumping unit at least a portion of the contaminatedemulsion from the first collection unit; receiving the at least aportion of the contaminated emulsion from the at least one pumping unitwith a microwave separation technology unit having a storage capacityfor storing the at least a portion of the contaminated emulsion, whereinthe microwave separation technology unit reduces contamination levels ofthe at least a portion of the contaminated emulsion; receiving the atleast a portion of the contaminated emulsion from the microwaveseparation technology unit with an ultra-violet light remediation unithaving a storage capacity for storing the at least a portion of thecontaminated emulsion, wherein the ultra-violet light remediation unitfurther reduces the contamination levels of the at least a portion ofthe contaminated emulsion to produce remediated water; pumping withanother pumping unit from the microwave separation technology unit tothe ultra-violet light remediation unit the at least a portion of thecontaminated emulsion, the another pumping unit being connected betweenthe microwave separation technology unit and the ultra-violet lightremediation unit; and storing in a second collection unit the remediatedwater produced from the ultra-violet light remediation unit.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2 including providing a thermal unit for atleast one of heating and cooling the at least a portion of thecontaminated emulsion being pumped from the first collection unit to themicrowave separation technology unit.
 4. The method according to claim 3wherein the thermal unit includes a heat exchanger for maintaining theat least a portion of the contaminated emulsion at a temperature of atleast 85 degrees Celsius.
 5. The method according to claim 2 wherein themicrowave separation technology unit emits microwaves in a power rangeof 20 to 60 kW.
 6. The method according to claim 2 wherein theultra-violet light remediation unit emits light in a wavelength range of90 to 400 nm.
 7. The method according to claim 2 including providing achemical additive unit to expose the at least a portion of thecontaminated emulsion to at least one chemical to further reducecontamination levels of the at least a portion of the contaminatedemulsion.
 8. The method according to claim 2 wherein the secondcollection unit is a mobile container of a tanker trailer.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 2 wherein the microwave separation technology unitand the ultra-violet light remediation unit cooperate to produce theremediated water with contamination levels in a range of 0% to 5% of thecontamination levels of the contaminated emulsion stored in the firstcollection unit.
 10. A microwave-enhanced treatment method forremediation of an emulsion containing water and contaminates comprisingthe steps of: storing in a first collection unit a contaminatedemulsion; pumping with a first pumping unit the contaminated emulsionfrom the first collection unit; receiving the contaminated emulsion fromthe pumping unit with a microwave separation technology unit having astorage capacity for storing the contaminated emulsion, wherein themicrowave separation technology unit reduces contamination levels of thecontaminated emulsion; pumping with a second pumping unit thecontaminated emulsion from the microwave separation technology unit;receiving the contaminated emulsion from the second pumping unit with anultra-violet light remediation unit having a storage capacity forstoring the contaminated emulsion, wherein the ultra-violet lightremediation unit further reduces the contamination levels of thecontaminated emulsion to produce remediated water, the second pumpingunit being connected between the microwave separation technology unitand the ultra-violet light remediation unit; and storing in a secondcollection unit the remediated water produced from the ultra-violetlight remediation unit.
 11. The method according to claim 10 includingproviding a thermal unit for at least one of heating and cooling thecontaminated emulsion being pumped from the first collection unit to themicrowave separation technology unit.
 12. The method according to claim11 wherein the thermal unit includes a heat exchanger for maintainingthe contaminated emulsion at a temperature of at least 85 degreesCelsius.
 13. The method according to claim 11 wherein the thermal unitat least one of: heats the contaminated emulsion to a temperature of atleast 85 degrees Celsius; heats the contaminated emulsion to atemperature above an ambient temperature of the microwave separationtechnology unit, but less than 85 degrees Celsius; and cools thecontaminated emulsion below the ambient temperature of the microwaveseparation technology unit.
 14. The method according to claim 10 whereinthe microwave separation technology unit emits microwaves in a powerrange of 20 to 60 kW.
 15. The method according to claim 10 wherein theultra-violet light remediation unit emits light in a wavelength range of90 to 400 nm.
 16. The method according to claim 10 including providing achemical additive unit to expose the contaminated emulsion to at leastone chemical to further reduce contamination levels of the contaminatedemulsion.
 17. The method according to claim 10 wherein the secondcollection unit is a mobile container of a tanker trailer.
 18. Themethod according to claim 10 wherein the microwave separation technologyunit and the ultra-violet light remediation unit cooperate to producethe remediated water with contamination levels in a range of 0% to 5% ofthe contamination levels of the contaminated emulsion stored in thefirst collection unit.
 19. The method according to claim 10 wherein thecontaminated emulsion is contaminated Frac water.